Equipment
Skaters
Skates - The most important pieces of equipment that a hockey player wears are the skates. Today’s skates are made from a combination of leather and modern materials such as graphite and kevlar (the same product that is used to make bullet-proof vests). The metal skate blades are inserted into plastic holders, which are attached to the boot. Skate blades are shaped differently depending on the type of performance the player wants. If a player wants to be able to make sharp cuts and have the ability to change direction quickly, the blade will be sharpened with a "deep hollow." This means that the area between the edges has been hollowed out. A player’s skates will be flatter if that player is more of a "straight-ahead" skater.
Stick - While skates are often deemed the most important piece of hockey equipment, the stick is probably the second most vital piece of equipment to a hockey player. Traditionally, sticks are made of wood. However, aluminum, graphite, kevlar, rubber and titanium are also used in today’s models. Sticks made from these materials are often lighter and more flexible than those made of wood. According to NHL rules, sticks should be no longer than 63 inches from the heel (or bottom of the blade) to the end of the shaft. The blade may not be more than 12.5" in length. The blade width must be no more than 3" and no less than 2". The curve of the blade may not exceed 3.5" in width or 15.5" in length.
Protective Equipment - The other equipment used by hockey players is designed to protect them from sticks, pucks and opposing players. A hockey player’s protective equipment includes the following: helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin/knee pads, a protective cup, padded pants and gloves. Players may also choose to wear visors (for eye protection), neck protectors and mouthpieces.
Goaltenders
Stick - Goalie sticks differ tremendously from skater’s sticks. The goalie stick features a widened blade or paddle. This alteration helps in keeping the puck out of the net. NHL rules specify that the goalie stick’s paddle be no more than 26" long. The blade may not exceed 3.5" in width or 15.5" in length.
Skates - Goalie skates are made from the same materials as regular hockey skates. However, goalie skates have a different shape (they are shaped more like a shoe than a boot) and design. Goaltender skates are covered with a plastic shell to provide better protection from shots that are fired into the goalie’s feet. In addition, the goaltender’s skates come with wider blades to provide extra stability.
Protective Equipment - A goalie’s equipment is thicker and heavier than a regular skater’s equipment. Goaltenders wear masks that are either one piece or are attached to a helmet; neck protectors; body armor that protects the shoulders, chest, stomach and arms; padded pants; heavily padded leg pads; a blocker glove and a catching glove. Goaltender’s protective equipment can weigh in excess of 35 pounds.
The Puck
Ice hockey is played with a vulcanized rubber disk, that is one (1") inch thick and three (3") inches in diameter. The puck weighs between five and one-half (5 *") and six (6") ounces. In order to reduce the bounce of the rubber, and to increase its speed, pucks are frozen before each game and changed during the course of each contest.
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